Australian media lash team after defeat to Ireland

Australia have been on the receiving end of some harsh words in their own media following their 15-6 World Cup defeat by Ireland at Eden Park.

Some reaction:

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:

It doesn’t get any more embarrassing than this for Australian rugby. The Wallabies were yet again shown to be second-rate by one of the also-rans of world rugby. Their World Cup campaign is in tatters following a deplorable performance against Ireland at Eden Park, when they chose the wrong moment to completely fall apart. It wasn’t some dumb footy, it was completely dumb footy. For being so dumb, they should be forced to wear World Cup dunces hats for at least the next week. You had to admire Ireland’s courage, endeavour and smart game plan, but it was more that the Wallabies were appalling.

THE AUSTRALIAN:

The loss of hooker Stephen Moore with illness just before the match proved to be a catastrophe for Australia. Not only did his replacement Tatafu Polota-Nau go astray with three crucial lineout throws but, worse, the Australian scrum reverted back to the liability it was in the bad old days.

STUFF.CO.NZ:

Quade Cooper was exposed as a flat-track bully – and that’s just one of the conclusions to take from the Wallabies’ disaster against Ireland. There was a smugness about the Wallabies entering this match. From chirpy tweets to almost arrogance at press conferences, the smirks will now be replaced by frowns as they realise the mountain that is in front of them.